Raissa!

New Year’s Resolutions!

by on December 30, 2011

Ok, I resolve to write in this blog at least once every month this year because there is so much to discuss and recommend.

Start your 2012 off right with Lucie Arnaz at Feinsteins, Jan. 5th through the 8th.  She’ll be performing songs from her new LATIN ROOTS album, which is phenomenal and a must have.    Lucie has arranged for a very affordable cover of $40 and $50 ($25 food/bev minimum) so all her fans can get in to see her pay tribute to her Latin Roots.  Speaking personally, I can tell you that she is as warm, talented and funny offstage as she is onstage and you owe it to yourself to celebrate the New Year with her. Ron Abel serves as her Musical Director for her shows and this CD. 

There are many more shows to recommend, but so that I get this posted soon, I just want to touch on two other causes dear to my heart:  the Earth and her animals.  For the first, please check out the Songwriting Contest that THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS is hosting.  During the winter, we long for our warm green spaces, but often forget that we need to continue to work to save them.  We’ve extended the deadline for the contest till Jan. 31st, 2012, so get those submissions in!  Click on the info to the right of this for more info.

Animal Adoption vs. Purchasing: 

When you purchase a pet, you merely have to put your money down, and leave with your pet.   The immediate gratification and falling in love with the puppy in the window is understandable, but it’s only after you become a pet parent, perhaps, that you learn the truth about purchasing a dog from a store.  What you may not be aware of, is that you are likely supporting a “puppy mill” by doing so.   Puppy mills are notorious for inhumane conditions for dogs, poor breeding leading to multiple health issues, and behavorial issues that often lead to animal surrender to a shelter.  Responsible dog breeders DO NOT SELL to stores – PERIOD!   If you choose to adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you will save a life and take a small, but important step, in putting puppy mills out of business, or under more strict governmental requirements.  You can read much more about this by clicking on the APSCA or HUMANE SOCIETY  links on my on my “links” page.

As of this writing, we are just now finalizing the adoption of our newest fur baby – “Phoebe” – (formerly known as Princess) from Shih Tzu Fur Baby Rescue – from start to finish, it has taken about 2 months – hardly immediate

l to r: Otie, Garrett, Phoebe, Raissa, Brandy Bennett

gratification – but we are talking about a LIFE.  Rescue organizations can be an even better way to ensure the proper fit for you and your new companion.  The reason it can take longer to get your pet, is that the organizations are staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers.  Your application needs to be reviewed, you are interviewed, and they make sure you understand the requirements of your home before they’ll send a dog into another home.  They want to be sure that the dog is not shuttled around from place to place.  On the plus side for you, your future pet has likely been living in a foster home for a few months, so they can evaluate temperment, health and behavior and be sure of an even better fit for you both – something you would never get from a pet shop.

For a list of rescue organizations, go to my links page.  I’ll cover how to choose the right companion animal for your lifestyle in future blogs.

Now back to finishing MY new CD with Ron Abel and David Caldwell, right now in the studio!

Happy New Year!

Love and Light,

Raissa

 

 

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:



By checking this box, participant grants THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS (TCATCG) full, unlimited rights to perform/record/post on website/publicize and promote the submitted song(s) in connection with this Contest, in all media, in all territories and in perpetuity. Authors grant these rights freely, without financial consideration. Ownership of submitted songs is retained by the authors, and all proceeds from the publication, performance and recording of these songs (outside of Contest) may benefit the authors, and be assigned by the authors, without prejudice to the Contest, and no such agreement or sale can supercede this agreement. Authors grant TCATCG the right to fundraise for itself, and other third parties. using the submitted song(s). Authors indemnify TCATCG against any claims arising from the voting, performance, and or publication of these songs, by its representatives or by third parties, in connection with the Contest. Authors agree to make every best effort to appear in the Contest, make themselves available for interviews, and or perform their song (if asked), and that there will be no financial remuneration for such appearances, and that all performances and/or appearances associated with TCATCG and the Contest are voluntary and for the benefit of TCATCG.
Close
Neil Sedaka
Rock 'n Roll legend, Songwriters Hall of Fame member, 2004 recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Popular Music, Brooklyn native Neil Sedaka has written countless #1 hits in a career spanning six decades.
Amanda McBroom
Concert performer, actress and award-winning songwriter, Amanda McBroom, is the author of the Golden Globe Award-winning song "The Rose," made famous by Bette Midler in the film of the same name. Besides Midler, Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Barbara Cook, Stephanie Mills, Donny Osmond, and the Chipmunks have recorded her songs. With Michele Brourman she wrote the songs for "Land Before Time."
Ann Hampton Callaway
Multiplatinum-selling singer, songwriter and pianist, Callaway has composed songs for television, Broadway, Off-Broadway and numerous major singers, including Barbra Streisand ("Higher Ground," "I've Dreamed of You"), Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Michael Feinstein, Carole King, and her sister Liz Callaway. Her TV themes include The Nanny, Day's End, Cabaret Beat, and The Jim J and Tammy Fay Show.
Michael John LaChiusa
The Tony-nominated Broadway and opera composer/lyricist and librettist responsible for "Hello Again," "Marie Christine," and "See What I Wanna See." In the 1999-2000 season, he had two shows on Broadway, "Marie Christine" and "The Wild Party," both of which received Tony nominations for Best Book and Best Original Score. His early success, "First Lady Suite," was produced by The Public in 1993. He wrote the book, with Graciela Daniele and Jim Lewis, of "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," for whish he received a Tony nomination for Best Book.
David Friedman
For the Today Show, this prolific songwriter writes a new song every month based on stories submitted by viewers for the "Everyone Has a Story" series. He's written hundreds of songs with Kathie Lee Gifford, with whom he co-produced two children's CD's, one of which is now a children's musical "Party Animals." His song "Your Love" went quadruple platinum when Diana Ross recorded it. His multiplatinum selling "Open Your Eyes to Love" was featured on the soundtrack of "the Lizzie McGuire Movie," and Allison Krauss sang his opening song on Disney's "Bambi" sequel.
Matthew Parillo
Vice president of production at MTV Studios, Matthew oversees the production of live events, concerts, reality series and documentaries, including MTV Live, Beach House, Spring Break, The Hills Live, House of Style and the Video Music Awards. In 15 years at the company he's worked on over 350 productions.
Close